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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Time flies when you’re deep in the legislative trenches! We’re nearly at the halfway mark of the session, and things in Olympia aren’t slowing down one bit. That’s why town halls are more important than ever—they’re your chance to speak directly with your lawmakers and make sure your voice is heard.
Town halls have always been a cornerstone of Washington state politics. Long before email inboxes overflowed and social media became the new town square, Washingtonians gathered in community halls, school gyms, and meeting rooms to ask tough questions, share concerns, and shape the future of our state. That tradition is alive and well, and we’re keeping it going.
Mark your calendars! On Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sen. Matt Boehnke, Rep. April Connors, and I will be hosting a town hall at the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kennewick. We’ll break down the latest from Olympia, tackle key issues, and—most importantly—hear from you.
Seats are limited, so be sure to register in advance. Click here to sign up and join the conversation.
We look forward to seeing you there!
My interview on Inside Olympia with Austin Jenkins
I recently sat down with Inside Olympia host Austin Jenkins and Rep. Shelley Kloba, D-Kenmore, to talk about nuclear energy and consumer data privacy. As the lead Republican on the House Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee, I shared my thoughts on how nuclear energy can shape Washington’s future and the importance of balancing new technology with consumer protection. We also discussed efforts to protect personal data and the challenges of regulating new technologies.
Key deadlines and House floor action
With major deadlines like policy and fiscal cutoffs behind us, the focus now shifts to full-blown floor action in the House and Senate. For the next several days, lawmakers will be debating amendments and casting votes as bills race to clear the House of Origin cutoff on March 12.
By 5 p.m. that day, any bill that hasn’t crossed its first big hurdle is officially done—unless it’s stamped with the “necessary to implement the budget” (NTIB) label. In that case, it gets a special pass to stick around and potentially resurface later.
Update on my bills still in play
Three of my bills have made it through the legislative process so far and could be pulled to the House floor for a vote at any time. They include:
- House Bill 1406, which seeks to strengthen oversight, revise funding allocations, and ensure data-driven evaluation of associate development organizations to promote economic growth across Washington state. This legislation would ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively to support economic development in every community, from our largest cities to our most rural areas.
- House Bill 1819, which aims to increase transmission capacity by requiring electric utilities to evaluate and upgrade existing power lines with advanced conductors. It also authorizes financial incentives for these upgrades and exempts certain projects from environmental reviews to streamline the process.
- House Bill 1824, which seeks to streamline the licensing process for accredited birthing centers by exempting them from an initial Department of Health inspection if their accrediting body’s standards are deemed equivalent. The bill maintains the department’s enforcement authority while reducing redundant surveys, allowing for more efficient oversight of birthing centers.
Click here to watch my latest video update on my bills and legislative activities.
Some concerning bills are off the table
Not every bill makes the cut, and sometimes, that’s a win for common sense. While plenty of legislation is still in play, a few particularly bad ideas have met their well-earned demise—at least for now.
One of the worst was Senate Bill 5382, a blatant attempt to weaken Washingtonians’ constitutional right to propose their own laws. Dubbed the “initiative killer,” this bill would have made it easier to toss out valid voter signatures over minor technicalities and buried petition gatherers in bureaucratic red tape—essentially shutting down grassroots efforts before they even started. Thankfully, this attack on direct democracy won’t be moving forward.
Another alarming proposal, Senate Bill 5312 aimed to weaken protections against child predators by cutting sex offender registration from ten to five years and reducing supervision to just three for offenders caught in Net Nanny sting operations—stings that have led to over 300 arrests since 2015. These weren’t misunderstandings; these individuals intended to exploit minors but were stopped before acting. Reducing oversight would have made it easier for predators to evade law enforcement, putting communities at risk.
Other troubling legislation and how you can help
Want to keep up with the worst proposals moving through Olympia—and help stop them in their tracks? Check out the Stop Bad Bills website! My colleagues and I have flagged several troubling bills that could have serious consequences, and this is your one-stop shop to learn more, track their status, and take action.
You’ll find policy breakdowns, links to each bill’s progress, and ways to share your story about how these proposals could impact your family. Your voice matters, and together, we can push back against bad legislation before it becomes law.
Welcoming visitors to Olympia
It’s always a pleasure to welcome visitors from the district! Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with several groups and individuals.
In the upper left corner, Columbia Birth Center staff visited along with Managing Partner Cynthia Flynn. I also met with Benton REA’s Josh Lozano and cohosted a Nuclear Energy Caucus meeting featuring speakers such as Amazon’s Nate Hill, X-energy’s Carol Lane, and Energy Northwest’s Greg Cullen.
Additionally, I had discussions with Pasco City Council members, including Mayor Pete Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem David Milne, and Councilmember Charles Grimm. Rounding out these meetings, I connected with Energy Northwest representatives, including Dave Arbaugh (ENW Lobbyist), Jackie Eutsey, Strategic Outreach Program Manager for New Nuclear Development, and CEO Bob Schuetz.
Thank You!
Representing the 8th District is a privilege, and I’m committed to standing up for our shared values. I’ll keep pushing for accountability in government, fighting against bad policies, and championing solutions that help our communities thrive.
Your involvement matters, and I appreciate you staying engaged. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m always here to listen.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Barnard
